INNOVATION IN PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

In product development, innovation is the process of creating value through the application of novel solutions to meaningful problems (1).

WHEN TO INNOVATE

Innovation, or the need for novel solutions, should be justified. Examples include avoiding blocking intellectual property, enabling a new technology, miniaturization, or a new implementation that improves performance. If no such rationale for innovation exists, then the responsible approach may be to integrate rather than innovate.

As a general rule, integration yields incremental value. To create a significant increase in value – for both the end user and the client – innovation is almost always required.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CREATION

The qualifications for patentability of an invention are a useful metric of a teams ability to innovate.

  • The subject matter of the invention must be consistent with statutory requirements
  • The invention must be new (novel)
  • The invention must be useful
  • The invention must be non-obvious

Thus, the number of patents awarded to an engineering team is a good measure of the ability of that team to innovate. NOVO’s staff are named inventors on hundreds of U.S. utility patents. Our clients rely on our ability to innovate to solve technical problems and build their intellectual property portfolios.

References:

  1. Credit for this concise and practical definition of “innovation” comes from Digintent, a business consulting firm, and it applies directly to innovation in the product development process.
338 Issued U.S. Patents And Counting
Patent # Patent Type Patent Title
10 369 274 Medical Device Sterile fluid pathway connection to drug containers for drug delivery pumps
10 350 922 Printer Systems Print bar assembly having liftable carriage with constrained rotational movement
10 322 231 Medical Device Drive mechanism for drug delivery pumps with integrated status indication
10 245 388 B2 Medical Device Injection device for minimally invasive procedures and uses thereof
10 232 652 Printer Systems Method of maintaining printheads using wipers moving in opposite directions
10 092 693 Medical Device Controlled delivery drive mechanisms for drug delivery pumps
10 076 441 Medical Device Devices for cooling the nasal cavity
10 046 115 Medical Device Drive control mechanisms and automatic injectors for injectable cartridges
9 999 727 Medical Device Drive mechanism for drug delivery pumps with integrated status indication
9 987 419 Medical Device Controlled delivery drive mechanisms for drug delivery pumps
9 931 065 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensors, applicators therefor, and associated methods
9 925 780 Printer Systems Method of maintaining printheads using cappers moving in opposite directions
9 833 176 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
9 814 832 Medical Device Drive mechanism for drug delivery pumps with integrated status indication
9 814 498 Medical Device Apparatus and methods for reduction of vertebral bodies in a spine
9 802 035 Medical Device Apparatus for electrically mediated delivery of therapeutic agents
9 775 741 Medical Device Methods and devices for non-invasive cerebral and systemic cooling
9 775 543 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
9 757 527 Medical Device Retractable needle adapters and safety syringes
9 750 873 Medical Device Sealed infusion device with electrical connector port
9 750 186 Commercial Products Walk-behind mower including debris container
9 731 895 Medical Device Automated smart storage of temperature sensitive products
9 707 335 Medical Device Drive mechanism for drug delivery pumps with integrated status indication
9 670 076 Medical Device Sterile fluid pathway connection to drug containers for drug delivery pumps
9 662 239 Medical Device Intragastric device
9 661 178 Printer Systems Biased document backing
9 628 651 Printer Systems Select print mode based on sector luminosity
9 615 779 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensors, applicators therefor, and associated methods
9 446 407 Biotech Lid mechanism
9 414 777 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
9 381 297 Medical Device Sealed infusion device with electrical connector port
9 378 671 Commercial Products Large scale LED display
9 364 664 Medical Device Apparatus for electrically mediated delivery of therapeutic agents
9 358 150 Medical Device Methods and devices for non-invasive cerebral and systemic cooling alternating liquid mist/gas for induction and gas for maintenance
9 351 862 Medical Device Intragastric device
9 283 764 Printer Systems Modular printer including printer modules with maintenance sleds moving in opposite directions
9 278 534 Printer Systems Translatable web support
9 270 868 Printer Systems Charge coupled device
9 264 571 Printer Systems Biased document backing
9 247 090 Printer Systems Printing and printers
9 242 493 Printer Systems Printer assembly having liftable carriage and external datum arrangement
9 221 261 Printer Systems Printer having sled providing wiping, capping and platen modules
9 193 194 Printer Systems Printing assembly having liftable carriage with constrained rotational movement
9 173 758 Medical Device Intragastric device
9 150 034 Printer Systems Apparatus for assiting printing having proximal wick
9 135 838 Commercial Products Large scale LED display
9 084 648 Medical Device Apparatus and methods for reduction of vertebral bodies in a spine
9 075 910 Medical Device Physiological monitor system for determining medication delivery and outcome
9 061 531 Printer Systems Modular printer having narrow print zone
9 055 901 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
9 038 502 Commercial Products Control interface activated restraining system to secure a rider's footwear to a foot support
8 997 361 Commercial Products Laser measurement of a vehicle frame
8 979 795 Medical Device Retractable needle adapters and safety syringes
8 945 074 Medical Device Device with controller and pump modules for providing negative pressure for wound therapy
8 939 935 Medical Device Drive mechanism for drug delivery pumps with integrated status indication
8 932 256 B2 Medical Device Insertion device systems and methods
8 922 458 Commercial Products Data and power distribution system and method for a large scale display
8 920 374 Medical Device Drive control mechanisms and automatic injectors for injectable cartridges
8 882 710 B2 Medical Device Insertion device systems and methods
8 882 247 Printer Systems Fluid distribution system having multi-path valve for gas venting
8 857 933 Printer Systems Ink supply reservoir
8 851 628 Printer Systems Wiping device having on-board mechanism for rotating wiper roller for printhead
8 833 919 Printer Systems Method of shaping media at printhead
8 808 240 Medical Device Activity guard
8 803 766 Commercial Products Large scale LED display
8 801 611 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
8 777 388 Printer Systems Fluid distribution system having four-way valve
8 774 681 Printer Systems Scanner having driven member tension
8 770 711 Printer Systems Printhead maintenance system having wiper module
8 764 141 Printer Systems System for shaping media at printhead
8 758 683 Biotech System for sampling and tracking plant material
8 750 955 Medical Device Analyte sensor
8 743 396 Printer Systems Printing using stored linearization data
8 740 927 Medical Device Intragastric device
8 733 908  Printer Systems Printing system having valved ink and gas distribution for printhead
8 727 484  Printer Systems Maintenance apparatus having multiple fluid absorbers for printhead
8 721 699 Medical Device Methods and devices for non-invasive cerebral and systemic cooling
8 721 545 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
8 702 198 Printer Systems Image-forming apparatus and methods thereof
8 679 128 Medical Device Apparatus and methods for reduction of vertebral bodies in a spine
8 663 198 Medical Device Negative pressure wound therapy device 
8 663 109 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
8 648 774 Commercial Products Large-scale LED display
8 647 358 Medical Device Intragastric device
8 641 167 Printer Systems Maintenance apparatus having rotatable wiper for printhead
8 615 282 Medical Device Analyte sensor
8 599 108 Commercial Products Large-scale LED display
8 596 774  Printer Systems Fluid container with internal filtration
8 565 848 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
8 562 104 Printer Systems Maintenance system having cleanable wiper for printhead
8 558 755 Commercial Products Large-scale LED display system
8 540 340 Printer Systems Printer having modular maintenance sled
8 523 316 Printer Systems Maintenance system having modular sled
8 515 519 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
8 512 280 Medical Device Devices for cooling the nasal cavity
8 496 618 Medical Device Activity guard
8 482 819 Printer Systems Segmented reflective optical system
8 480 723 Medical Device Methods and devices for non-invassive cerebral and systemic cooling
8 475 373 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
8 469 488 Printer Systems Printer having waste fluid container
8 465 131 Printer Systems Fluid distribution system having fluid flow restriction
8 457 708 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
8 452 368 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
8 437 874 Biotech Transfer station for plant material sampling and tracking system
8 426 209 Biotech Methods and apparatus for sorting cells using an optical switch in a microfluidic channel network
8 425 020  Printer Systems Fluid distribution system having valved fluid container
8 381 409 Commercial Products Laser measurement of a vehicle frame 
8 351 095 Printer Systems Image scan device
8 345 325 Printer Systems Segmented reflective optical system
8 313 434 Medical Device Analyte sensor inserter system
8 308 786 Medical Device Methods and devices for non-invasive cerebral and systemic cooling via the nasal cavity
8 280 475 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
8 243 344 Printer Systems Media drive
8 240 807 Printer Systems Calibration process for multi-die print cartridge
8 231 531 Medical Device Analyte sensor
8 229 534 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
8 180 168 Printer Systems One-pass filtering and infrared-visible light decorrelation to reduce noise and distortions
8 179 573 Printer Systems Scanning two images of media
8 177 445 Printer Systems Over-center mechanism
8 157 767 Medical Device Devices for cooling the nasal cavity
8 155 575 Printer Systems Systems and methods for orienting media for improved scan quality
8 136 910 Printer Systems Calibration method for a printer
8 108 040 Medical Device Method and apparatus for delivery of therapeutic agents
8 070 723 Medical Device Activity guard
8 043 839 Biotech Xylanases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them
8 029 093 Printer Systems Overprint trough for an image forming apparatus
7 995 234 Printer Systems Adjusting scan rate within scanning device
7 980 148 Biotech Device for sampling plant material
7 963 519 Printer Systems Media pick system and method
7 963 516 Printer Systems Actuation of output tray
7 944 591 Printer Systems Media interaction device drive system
7 905 833 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
7 866 810 Printer Systems Ink jet printer
7 866 658 Printer Systems Media pick system and method
7 854 573 Commercial Products Landscaping products including continuous chamber mass confinement cells and methods of use thereof 
7 824 436 Medical Device Methods and devices for non-invasive cerebral and systemic cooling
7 815 865 Biotech Liquid dispensing device
7 745 221 Biotech Methods and apparatus for sorting cells using an optical switch in a microfluidic channel network
7 731 319 Printer Systems Imaging head elevator
7 712 862 Printer Systems Ink stalagmite detection
7 701 478 Printer Systems Imaging head mount
7 682 358 Medical Device Steerable catheter 
7 677 718 Printer Systems Flexible member having tensioning members
7 673 871 Printer Systems Sheet feeder
7 669 960 Printer Systems Special service station module for extra servicing
7 654 956 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
7 621 919 Medical Device Orthopedic cutting block
7 544 029 Printer Systems Apparatus and method for attaching a cover to an assembly of sheets
7 543 927 Printer Systems Print media edge printing
7 497 827 Medical Device Methods and systems for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor
7 494 465 Medical Device Transcutaneous analyte sensor
7 464 740 Printer Systems Laminate cartridge
7 461 928 Printer Systems Fluid-delivery mechanism for fluid-ejection device
7 400 855 Printer Systems Winding media
7 380 898 Printer Systems Calibration method for a printer
7 364 702 Biotech Liquid dispensing device
7 360 863 Printer Systems Printing apparatus with a priming device
7 334 883 Printer Systems Printer, printhead, apparatus and method for air-free ink delivery
7 311 395 Printer Systems Optimized ink jet printing of barcodes
7 310 544 Medical Device Methods and systems for inserting a transcutaneous analyte sensor
7 300 138 Printer Systems Replaceable ink container for inkjet printer
7 291 460 Biotech Multiplexed systems for nucleic acid sequencing
7 275 802 Printer Systems Cleaner
7 275 741 Printer Systems Methods and apparatus for transporting sheet media
7 251 449 Printer Systems Rotating member
7 189 243 Medical Device Orthopaedic fixation pin extraction
7 189 018 Printer Systems Print media drive
7 188 837 Printer Systems Media detection
7 163 271 Printer Systems Adjusting image-formation mechanism swath so that bar codes are formed within a single swath
7 097 275 Printer Systems Single actuation axis printhead cleaner architecture for staggered printheads
7 086 716 Printer Systems Fluid-ejection assembly
7 044 485 Commercial Products Elastomeric suspension system skateboard truck
6 989 053 Printer Systems Ink-jet inks exhibiting increased slewing decap time
6 948 798 Printer Systems Method and apparatus for horizontally loading and unloading an ink-jet print cartridge from a carriage
6 942 324 Printer Systems Fluid delivery system for an ink jet print head
6 918 738 Biotech Stackable sample holding plate with robot removable lid
6 918 338 Printer Systems Printing system
6 851 792 Printer Systems Multiple-pass approach to fluid ejection over media swath in one pass
6 843 297 Printer Systems Laminate cartridge
6 817 793 Printer Systems Media handling device and methods
6 814 422 Printer Systems Method of servicing a pen when mounted in a printing device
6 802 355 Printer Systems Overcoat application peel apparatus
6 789 876 Printer Systems Co-operating mechanical subassemblies for a scanning carriage, digital wide-format color inkjet print engine
6 778 764 Commercial Products Strobe controller system with flash unit interoperability
6 770 824 Printer Systems Buckling key caps and method
6 758 549 Printer Systems Cleaning system for an inkjet printhead
6 752 483 Printer Systems Method for detecting drops in printer device
6 692 169 Printer Systems Method of propelling an ink jet printer carriage
6 666 665 Biotech Fluid delivery mechanism having a plurality of plungers for compressing a metered chamber
6 652 064 Printer Systems Method for improving image quality on plots
6 644 775 Printer Systems Single actuation axis printhead cleaner architecture for staggered printheads
6 644 768 Printer Systems Three- and two-dimensional images formed by suspended or transitory colorant in a volume
6 637 854 Printer Systems Method and apparatus for aligning staggered pens using macro-pens
6 604 807 Printer Systems Method and apparatus for detecting anomalous nozzles in an ink jet printer device
6 599 311 Medical Device Method and assembly for lung volume reduction
6 598 303 Commercial Products Surface conforming shaving razor and handle therefor
6 589 237 Medical Device Electrosurgical apparatus and methods for treating tissue
6 585 499 Biotech Fluid delivery mechanism having a flush-back operation
6 582 051 Printer Systems Apparatus and method for detecting drops in printer device
6 568 787 Printer Systems Apparatus and method for accurately positioning inkjet printheads
6 565 179 Printer Systems Method of detecting the end of life of a pen
6 565 173 Printer Systems Thermal inkjet printer apparatus and method
6 557 971 Printer Systems Method for servicing an inkjet printhead
6 543 889 Printer Systems Printing system for application of different ink types to create a security document
6 520 621 Printer Systems Dual wiper scrapers for incompatible inkjet ink wipers
6 520 619 Printer Systems Error-proof service station installation
6 517 269 Printer Systems Narrow-width modular printing mechanism
6 517 200 Printer Systems Transport buffer having force limiting drive means and method
6 517 184 Printer Systems Method of servicing a pen when mounted in a printing device
6 517 183 Printer Systems Method for detecting drops in printer device
6 513 905 Printer Systems Nozzle cross talk reduction in an ink jet printer
6 513 904 Printer Systems Method for servicing an inkjet printhead
6 506 152 Medical Device Caloric energy balance monitor 
6 505 906 Printer Systems Method of exercising nozzles of an inkjet printer and article
6 501 531 Printer Systems Method of utilizing wasted nested space
6 499 826 Printer Systems Horizontally loadable carriage for an ink-jet printer
6 493 060 Printer Systems Duplexing in automatic document feeder utilizing a path shorter than the length of the document to be duplexed
6 487 926 Printer Systems Lock plate transmission
6 481 822 Printer Systems Independent servicing of multiple inkjet printheads
6 471 426 Printer Systems Method of propelling an inkjet printer carriage
6 471 334 Printer Systems Method and apparatus for horizontally loading and unloading an ink-jet print cartridge from a carriage
6 464 327 Printer Systems Replaceable snout wiper for inkjet cartridges
6 457 804 Printer Systems Spring for latching a print cartridge in a carriage
6 436 058 Medical Device System and method for implementing rehabilitation protocols for an orthopedic restraining device
6 435 676 Printer Systems Printer ink cartridge
6 435 662 Printer Systems Ink-jet print cartridge, ink-jet printer, method and apparatus
6 428 228 Printer Systems Removable paper module for an orthogonal inkjet printer
6 422 678 Printer Systems Method and apparatus for aligning staggered pens using a composite reference
6 419 343 Printer Systems Printer and method for priming an inkjet printhead
6 409 872 Printer Systems Identification card printer and laminator
6 402 290 Printer Systems Replaceable capping system for inkjet printheads
6 386 772 Printer Systems Method and apparatus for communicating between printer or laminator and supplies
6 382 619 Printer Systems Pick mechanism and image forming device including the same
6 379 064 Printer Systems Printer chassis construction
6 375 299 Printer Systems Faulty ink ejector detection in an ink jet printer
6 375 298 Printer Systems Intelligent printer components and printing system
6 367 918 Printer Systems Unitary latching device for secure positioning of print cartridge during printing, priming and replenishment
6 353 453 Printer Systems Thermal printhead load adjustment mechanism
6 340 256 Printer Systems Low profile stackable printer
6 328 492 Printer Systems Printer having a removable paper tray with integrated platen and capping stations
6 328 415 Printer Systems Displaceable print cartridge chute
6 315 469 Printer Systems Tool and method for adjustment of printhead to platen spacing in a printer
6 308 416 Commercial Products Surface conforming shaving razor and handle therefor
6 296 407 Printer Systems Stackable low profile printer with an input and output media telescoping tray cassette
6 296 345 Printer Systems Method and apparatus for horizontally loading and unloading an ink-jet print cartridge from a carriage
6 293 542 Printer Systems Automated sheet delivery to selected paths using active gate and drag clutch
6 290 321 Printer Systems Printer ink cartridge
6 270 187 Printer Systems Method and apparatus for hiding errors in single-pass incremental printing
6 250 755 Commercial Products Attachment of bridge and temples to eyeglass lenses
6 241 237 Printer Systems Automatic document feeding method and apparatus and duplexing document scanning device using same
6 241 236 Printer Systems Automated sheet delivery to selected paths using reversible crenellated roller
6 238 112 Printer Systems Method of printing to automatically compensate for malfunctioning inkjet nozzles
6 227 663 Printer Systems Ink-jet print cartridge having a low profile
6 227 643 Printer Systems Intelligent printer components and printing system
6 224 186 Printer Systems Replaceable inkjet ink solvent application system
6 220 699 Printer Systems Method and apparatus for actuating a pump in a printer
6 203 135 Printer Systems Independent servicing of multiple inkjet printheads
6 190 007 Printer Systems Apparatus for delivering fluid to an ink jet printhead mounted on a moveable printer carriage
6 170 348 Printer Systems Swing arm transmission for driving sheet feed mechanism of a printing device media input tray
6 157 450 Commercial Products Automated optical surface profile measurement system
6 155 667 Printer Systems Replaceable snout wiper for inkjet cartridges
6 139 182 Commercial Products Enhanced protective cover for use in an IR thermometer 
6 139 128 Printer Systems Discrete pen wiping and pen specific print direction to reduce size of inkjet printer
6 135 585 Printer Systems Replaceable capping system for inkjet printheads
6 132 122 Printer Systems Low profile architecture for internet appliance printing
6 120 201 Printer Systems Printer with front portion providing access to print mechanism
6 116 235 Medical Device Vapor retention assembly
6 105 572 Medical Device Liquid ventilator
6 086 181 Printer Systems Maximum-diagonal print mask and multipass printing modes, for high quality and high throughput with liquid-base inks
6 042 100 Printer Systems Soft pinch roller to reduce hand-off error
6 024 445 Commercial Products Single point attachment of bridge and temples to eyeglass lenses
6 000 773 Printer Systems Ink jet printer having ink use information stored in a memory mounted on a replaceble printer ink cartridge
5 986 753 Commercial Products Wafer holding and orienting fixture for optical profilometry
5 891 094 Medical Device System for direct heating of fluid solution in a hollow body organ and methods
5 861 899 Printer Systems Wide-swath printer/plotter using multiple printheads
5 836 913 Medical Device Device and method for accessing a body cavity
5 829 428 Medical Device Methods and apparatus for reducing the loss of respiratory promoters
5 827 319 Medical Device Radially expandable access system having disposable and reusable components
5 820 600 Medical Device Adjustable introducer valve
5 814 058 Medical Device Method and apparatus employing conformable sleeve for providing percutaneous access
5 749 838 Medical Device Posture training device
5 676 475 Printer Systems Smart print carriage incorporating circuitry for processing data
5 656 248 Commercial Products Multi-stage infectious waste treatment system
5 653 692 Medical Device Method and system for direct heating of fluid solution in a hollow body organ
5 610 635 Printer Systems Printer ink cartridge with memory storage capacity
5 530 459 Printer Systems Printing media feed and retaining apparatus for a thermal inkjet printer/plotter
5 488 397 Printer Systems Wide-swath printer/plotter using multiple printheads
5 425 925 Commercial Products Multi-stage infectious waste treatment system
5 411 500 Medical Device Portable arthroscope with disposable probe
5 392 766 Medical Device System and method for cleaning viewing scope lenses
5 363 129 Printer Systems Printing media feed and retaining apparatus for a thermal ink jet printer/plotter
5 350 929 Printer Systems Alignment system for multiple color pen cartridges
5 329 936 Medical Device Portable arthroscope with periscope optics
5 323 767 Medical Device Portable arthroscope with periscope optics
5 313 261 Commercial Products Method and apparatus for faithful gray scale representation of under water laser images
5 301 657 Medical Device Sleeve for maintaining the sterility of an arthroscopic procedure
5 276 467 Printer Systems Alignment system for multiple color pen cartridges
5 255 009 Printer Systems Automatic maintenance system for drop aperture plate (optics protection)
5 190 028 Medical Device Method for manufacturing a disposable arthroscopic probe
5 188 093 Medical Device Portable arthroscope with periscope optics
5 182 877 Commercial Products Fish line stripping basket
5 049 855 Commercial Products Security screen system
4 789 874 Printer Systems Single channel encoder system
4 786 803 Printer Systems Single channel encoder with specific scale support structure
RE 45 660 Biotech Xylanases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them
D 781 024 Commercial Products Multispace parking pay station
D 779 774 Commercial Products Multispace parking pay station
D 779 773 Commercial Products Multispace parking pay station
D 779 772 Commercial Products Multispace parking pay station
D 779 771 Commercial Products Multispace parking pay station
D 768 288 Medical Device Drug delivery pump
D 764 657 Medical Device Automatic injector
D 762 040 Commercial Products Multispace parking pay station
D 755 649 Commercial Products Multispace parking pay station
D 745 142 Medical Device Drug delivery pump
D 735 964 Commercial Products Multispace parking pay station (certificate of correction; post-issue communication)
D 735 439 Commercial Products Multispace parking pay station (certificate of correction; post-issue communication)
D 690 771 Commercial Products Vending control unit (certificate of correction; post-issue communication)
D 683 795 Commercial Products Vending control unit (certificate of correction; post-issue communication)
D 683 794 Commercial Products Vending machine control unit (certificate of correction; post-issue communication)
D 680 163 Printer Systems Multi-function imaging and printing device
D 605 223 Printer Systems Imaging head
D 590 013 Printer Systems Printer
D 580 801 Commercial Products Thermostat housing
D 540 853 Printer Systems Printhead service unit
D 534 946 Printer Systems Printer
D 532 523 Medical Device Thermal therapy pad
D 527 108 Medical Device Thermal therapy pad
D 510 626 Medical Device Thermal therapy pad
D 505 727 Medical Device Thermal therapy pad
D 500 140 Medical Device Thermal therapy pad
D 480 814 Biotech Gigamatrix holding tray
D 439 925 Printer Systems Ink jet print cartridge
D 434 794 Printer Systems Printer output tray extension
D 430 600 Printer Systems Printhead service station unit
D 422 262 Commercial Products Housing for piggyback mounted battery for portable phone
D 386 041 Commercial Products Water purification pitcher
D 342 136 Medical Device Disposable arthroscope